Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-02-05
A TRUE HISTORY.
Translated from the Russian If Count
Tolstoi by K. G.. Waggener.

Ioistoi by +. &. Waggener.
"God knows the truth. but He does
not always Immediately disclose It,"
In the city of Vladimir there lived II
merchant by the name of Akscnoy.
He was the owner Of two shops and
one dwelling house. Aksenoy was
blonde, handsome aud fond of merri-
mcnt and good company. In his
youth he drank a good deal, and when
under the influence Of liquor made a
terrible uproar. Since his marriage,
however, he had INDUCED but sell
dom.
One beautiful summer morning Ak
senov concluded that he would 90 to
the fair of Mini Novoyrod, but when
he went to bid his family goodbye, his
wife said TO him: Ivan Dimitrievitch.
thou must not 90 to-day; | am afraid
for you to go"
"Afraid!' cried Aksenoy, beginning
to laugh; 'what are YOU afraid Of
that I'll commit a folly at the fair?'
NO. said his wife; land ] do
not know myself why am afraid,
Only | have had a kad dream about
you. ! saw YOU return from the city,
and when you took off your hat your
head suddenly became rs white as
snow"
At this Aksenov only laughed the
more.
That's a good sign" said he. II
shall have good luck and bring you Il
magnificent present" And kissing
his wife ~aifectionately he took his de-
parturc.
Half way to the fair he met a mer-
chant of his acquaintance, and stopped
TO spend the night with him at an inn
near by. They supped together, talked
till bedtime, and retired to sleep in adj
joining chambers. Ivan Dimitrieyitch
was not a great sleeper, and he awoke
in the middle of the night restless and
wide awake. TO avoid the heat
of the day and travel more com
fortably, he decided to pursue his Jour
ney without waiting for morning,
Rousing his positions he ordered
them to harness the horses, and after
settling his account with the innkeeper
he drove away.
Going about forty versts he decided
to rest again, feed his horses and eat
his own dinner at another little auberge
by the side of the roadway. While
waiting for the samovar to be lighted
Dimitrievitch seated himself upon the
doorstep and began to play on his gui-
tar. Suddenly there was a furious ring
J ing of bells, a troika dashed up to the
auberge. and a tchinovik (%oflicer Of the
; state) descended, followed by two sol
diers. Approaching Aksenov he asked
. him what he vas doing there and where
I he was going. Aksenov answered him
: very politely, then invited him to join
him IN u cup of ten. The officer de-
clined and continued TO press him with
, Observation-Disclosures had he slept the
night beforepn WAS he alone?''
: Had he been alone all the evening
with his friend the m~erchant?n ''And
why had he left him so precipitateIy?''
Aksenov. surprised at these ques-
Y tons, related all that happened to him.
; "But why do you wish TO know?''
! said he; Il am neither a brigand nor
r n thief. ] am travelling about my own
/, affairs, and no one has the right to
| question me-
The officer beckoned to the soldier,
+ to approach, then turning to Aksenov
said sternly: ii | question you it is as
a commissioner of police, and because
; the merchant with whom you passed
e the night was found murdered in his
; bed. Who're is your luggagep We
1 must have IT,"
Dimitrievitch pointed out his trunk
and bag, and they began to search
Q them.
What is this?" cried the officer sud
t denly, holding up something that he
had taken from amongst the clothes in
. the bottom of the satchel. Aksenov
looked and saw that it was n knife all
spotted and brown with blood; he
shuddered with terror. land why
this blood upon it?" continued the Of
ficer.
Aksenov wished TO answer, to tell
them that he knew nothing about il.
that the knife was not even his, but
he was unable to articulate a word.
The merchant was found this morn
ing dead in his bed; you were the last
one with him; the inn was closed and
you were the only guest. Confess
then chat you killed and robbed him."
persisted the officer.
Aksenov swore by all that vas holy
that he had not even seen the merchant
after they parted for the night; that he
had no money save his own, about
5000 roubles all told; and that the
knife did not belong to him; but his
voice was strangled, his face pale, and
he trembled rs with I'm ague fit.